Canada’s National Farm Animal Care Council has introduced a new Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs that effectively bans the use of gestation crates [PDF] that confine mother pigs so tightly they can’t even turn around. We hope the U.S. is taking notes!

The state of Kentucky just got friendlier to some farm animals. Last week, it became the eighth state to outlaw notoriously cruel veal crates, which prevent calves from turning around or stretching their limbs. Unfortunately, the new rules passed by the Kentucky Livestock Care Standards Commission did not include a ban on tail-docking, the painful practice of cutting off dairy cows’ tails (often without anesthesia), and the state still allows the use of battery cages and gestation crates. The commission has a lot more work to do for farm animals.

Farm Animal Squee!! We challenge anyone to watch this video about Penny, a rescued fluffy Silky chicken, and her best friend Roo, a two-legged Chihuahua, without melting!

Want to stay up-to-date on the latest news in the fight against farm animal cruelty?

Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter, ASPCA News Alert - you'll receive important updates on what's going on and how you can make an impact to save animals' lives!